Direct matter disassembly via electron beam control: Electron-beam-mediated catalytic etching of graphene by nanoparticles

Abstract

We report electron-beam activated motion of a catalytic nanoparticle along a graphene step edge and associated etching of the edge. This approach enables beam-controlled etching of matter through activated electrocatalytic processes. The applications of electron-beam control as a paradigm for molecular-scale robotics are discussed.